The Washington critic., 1887-10-06
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER G, 1887.
ALExANDrR II. sHEpHERp.

Hc WthlHcT lloullSNA W uC ull thut
could be desired for the demonstration
OF welcome to Ex-Governor Shepherd
this evening. Evidently the elements
sympathize with o testimonial that
bespeaks the gratitude and respect of
the people OF Washington for one who
has done so much to make the National
Capital beautiful and enjoyable.
In thus honoring Governor Shepherd
II should also be understood that we
honor his associates In the great work
which he accomplished-in the revolu.
tion which he wrought--in the recon.
structlon which he made a necessity.
The welcome Is extended to Mr.. Shep.
herd personally because of the com
manding position which he assumed
and consistently maintained throughout
an era that will be forever associated
with his name because of the siupen.
dous difficulties which he encountered
and successfully surmoNnted, where
men of less heroic mold might have fall
tered, and especially for the reason that
having achieved everything in his
power towards the improvement and
future development of Washington, at
great financial loss to himself, he closed
his administrative career without a
stain upon his name, and sought In
distant exile from the scene of his tri.
umphs the recuperation OF his broken
fortunes.
1t is meet and proper that such a
man, returning to his native land,
should receive the enthusiastic greet.
ings, not only of his early friends,
but of the community at large, that
owes It's prosperity and metropolitan
surroundings SO largely to his per.
slstent and disinterested efforts.
1t Is q demonstration In which all
good citizens may appropriately unite.
To the workingmen of Washington,
especially, was Governor Shepherd q
sincere and constant friend. He was
himself workingman. He never
forgot nor ever failed to take a manly
pride In the fact that he came from the
ranks of the people, and to the pro-
motion Of the interests of the people
he gave the best and greatest efforts
of his life.
There were individual cases of hard
ship incident TO so radical trans.
formation. No great system of i'm.
provements can be carried out, not O
railroad built nor canal dug, not O
hill leveled or hollow filled, but what
the change involves some persona
detriment. But where the genera
good requires It the sacrifice must b.
endured. In this instance the suffering
was slight as compared with the grand
results, and the heaviest sufferer woul
rot for any conceivable consideration
exchange the present condition of th,
Capital, with its enhanced values ant
glowing prospects, for the condition Of
things that once prevailed.
Well, then, may the freedom of tn,
city which he lifted to such rcnowl
and magniflcence be granted to Alexan
der Il. Shepherd. Well does he de
serve distinction which now for III
first time in the annals of America
history Is accorded to a private citizer
1t comes to him unsought, for he Is
man of modest and unassuming charat
ter, not only devoid of ostentation, br
sverse to it, and the last man in tn
world TO choose the bestowal of such
tribute were the choice left to himsel
Governor Shepherd is in Washing
ton, not as conquerlng hero to exu
in his fame and demand the adulatlo
OF his subjects, with patronage to b.
stow and spoils to distribute, but as
private citizen only, occupying con
mon plane of equality with other cit
zens, to enjoy their hospitalities, Tha
these hospitalities partake of the ma
ture of honors is In the nature G
things but just.